Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Mega Time Pure White’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  Chrysanthemum  plant named ‘Mega Time Pure White,’ having a good uniform canopy of white single flowers and a light green disc. The new variety has a medium tall vigor, free branching, uniform spreading habit and good foliage presentation.

Latin name of the genus and species: Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium.

Variety denomination: The new Chrysanthemum variety denomination is ‘Mega Time Pure White’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, and referred to by the cultivar name ‘Mega Time Pure White.’

‘Mega Time Pure White,’ identified as 20929-9, originated from a naturally occurring whole plant mutation grown in a controlled planting of the unpatented variety ‘Mega Time’ in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom. The new variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ has been asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom and the distinguishing characteristics are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Mega Time Pure White’ is a pot type of Chrysanthemum plant variety having white single flowers and a light green disc.

Comparison with Parent

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ are similar to the parent ‘Mega Time’ in plant habitat and growth rate. In side-by-side comparisons in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom, under commercial practice, plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ compared to the plants of the parent ‘Mega Time’ in the following characteristics.

1. The new variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ produces white flowers whereas the parent ‘Mega Time’ produces light pink flowers.

2. Plants of the new variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ have similar inflorescence to plants of the parent ‘Mega Time.’

Comparison with Other Varieties

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ are similar to ‘Tasman’ in plant habit and growth rate. However, in side-by-side comparisons in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom, under commercial practice, plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ compared to plants of ‘Tasman’ in the following characteristics.

1. The new variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ produces white single flowers whereas ‘Tasman’ produces white flowers.

2. Plants of the new variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ have larger and taller inflorescence than plants of ‘Tasman.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

Typical specimens of the plant and flowers for the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ are shown in the accompanying digital photograph. The colors shown are as true as possible within the usual limits of this kind of illustration.

FIG. 1 is a whole plant view of the new variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ grown in a pot.

The plant shown in the illustration is 54 days from the commencement of Short Days.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following description of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Mega Time Pure White’ is of plants grown in a greenhouse in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom in the month of May. The cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in the environment such as temperature, length of day and light intensity, without any variance in genotype. The commercial classification of the new variety is a pot Chrysanthemum.

Plants of the new variety have been grown successfully under temperature conditions averaging about 19° C. at night and about 17° C. to 24° C. during the day under light conditions of about 5000 to 6000 foot candles. The plants respond well to the use of growth retardant, such as B9 treatment at about 2 g per liter. To produce a commercial product the plants may be pinched once with the center bud removed. The typical container size for commercial growth is 1 liter. It has been observed that the shelf life of the new variety is about 21 days with a response time of about 7.5 weeks. The new variety is suitable for growth in a temperature range of 15° C. to 25° C.

The new variety may be produced as a spray. The following description is with respect to a plant produced as pot Chrysanthemum. In the description of this new Chrysanthemum variety, color values have been taken from The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.).

Plant

Plant type: Pot.

Habit: Upright and free branching.

Height: 24 cm.

Width: 35 cm.

Branching characteristics: Upright and free branching.

Length of lateral branches: 19 cm.

Number of breaks from pinch: 5.

Stem color: 137B.

Response time: 51 days.

Vigor: Medium/tall.

Shelf life: 21 days.

Life of blooms: 21 days.

Disease/pest (susceptibility/resistance observed): None observed to date.

Growth retardant type and treatment: 3 applications of 2.5 gm/liter B9 @ 2, 21 and 28 days after sticking unrooted cuttings. The plants were grown for 2 weeks in Long Day conditions (20 hours of light) and then transferred to Short Day conditions (13 hours of dark).

Propagation:

Type.—Vegetative propagation via stem cuttings.

Time to rooting.—14 days with soil temperatures of 18° C.

Rooting habit.—After 7 Long Days the first roots emerge and form root primordia. In 14 Long Days a complete root system is developed.

Foliage

Number of leaves per lateral branch: 12.

Compound or single: Single.

Arrangement of leaves: Alternate.

Shape of leaf.—Typically 5 lobed ovate.

Size of leaf.—Width (cm): 4. Length (cm): 6.

Leaf apex.—Acute.

Base.—Obtuse.

Attachment.—Petioled.

Aspect.—Slight undulating.

Margin.—Palmately lobed.

Surface characteristics.—Top: slightly pubescent. Bottom: pubescent.

Petiole:

Color.—137D.

Length.—1.5 cm.

Diameter.—0.2 cm.

Surface.—Slightly pubescent.

Venation: net, prominent midvein at underside.

Color.—Upper side: near 137C. Under side: near 138B.

Color:

Mature leaf, upper side.—Near 137B; under side: near 138A.

Young leaf, upper side.—Near 137A; under side: near 137D.

Flower

Flower appearance: Matte.

Flower type: Single.

Flower form: Slightly cupped.

Flower shape: Round.

Flowering habit: Cyme.

Number of blossoms per branch: 6.

Inflorescence form: Cyme.

Depth of fully expanded blossoms.—2 cm.

Diameter of fully expanded blossoms.—7 cm.

Phyllaries:

Number.—20.

Color.—Near 137C.

Length.—0.7 to 1.2 cm.

Width.—0.1 to 0.3 cm.

Texture/appearance.—Pubescent.

Peduncle: Peduncle length is shortest at the terminal flower and progressively longer moving down the stem.

Length.—12 cm (average).

Color.—Near 137C.

Surface.—Pubescent.

Habit.—Slightly curving.

Strength.—Moderately strong.

Diameter.—0.8 cm.

Pedicel: Length: terminal: 3 cm; lateral: 4.5 cm.

Color.—Near 137C.

Surface.—Pubescent.

Habit.—Slightly curving.

Strength.—Moderately strong.

Diameter.—0.3 cm.

Ray florets:

Form/shape.—Straight and spatulate.

Texture/appearance.—Matte.

Number per flower.—25.

Length.—3.5 cm; Width: 1 cm.

Apex.—Rounded.

Base.—Tapered.

Margin.—Entire.

Disc florets:

Form/shape.—Cylindric.

Texture/appearance.—Shiny.

Number per flower.—120.

Length.—0.6 cm; Width: 0.1 cm.

Diameter of disc.—1.3 cm.

Fragrance: None.

Flower bud (at onset of color):

Length.—1 cm.

Diameter.—1 cm.

Form/shape.—Spherical.

General flower color:

1. Ray florets, upper side.—155C. Immature: near 155B. Mature: near 155C. Older/Fading: near 155A.

2. Ray florets, under side.—155C. Immature: near 155B. Mature: near 155C. Older/Fading: near 155C.

3. Disc florets.—Immature: near 152C. Mature: near 15C. Older/Fading: near 15C.

4. Bud.—155C.

Flower progression with age: Flower form and color does not change with age.

Reproductive Organs

Gynoecium: Present on ray and disc florets.

Ray florets per individual flower:

Pistil number.—25.

Stigma color.—Near 154A.

Stigma shape.—Forked.

Style color.—Near 154B.

Style length.—0.3 cm.

Disc florets per individual flower:

Pistil number.—120.

Stigma color.—Near 154A.

Stigma shape.—Forked.

Style color.—Near 154B.

Style length.—0.3 cm.

Androecium: Not observed.

Fruit and seeds: None observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemum plant, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 